ducks
07-25-2007, 11:34 AM
MAVERICKS NOTES
Francis chooses to return to Rockets
By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The Mavericks' free-agent pool became a little shallower and the Southwest Division a little tougher Thursday when Steve Francis signed a two-year contract with his original team, the Houston Rockets.
Francis, 30, considered the Mavs, Rockets, Heat and Clippers, but the eight-year veteran point guard and three-time All-Star chose to reunite with Yao Ming and pair with Tracy McGrady, the player the Rockets acquired when they traded Francis to Orlando in 2004.
Francis agreed to $2.4 million the first year, the amount Houston had left on its mid-level exception, and can opt out after the season. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said that Francis, who has a home in Houston and played the first five seasons of his career there, felt a comfort factor with the Rockets.
The Mavs could have offered Francis more first-year money because they still have their full mid-level exception of $5.36 million. The Mavs also have a $1.83 biannual exception available as they continue to pursue potential free-agent additions.
A perimeter scoring threat is still a priority and one option gaining some steam is veteran swingman Eddie Jones. A 37.5-percent 3-point shooter over his 13-year career, Jones split last season with Memphis and Miami.
The Heat does not plan to re-sign Jones, who will turn 36 before the season starts.
Other free-agent targets for the Mavs appear to be James Posey (Miami), P.J. Brown (Chicago), Chris Webber (Detroit) and possibly Matt Barnes (Golden State) and Mickael Pietrus (Golden State), although a likely sign-and-trade for the Pietrus, a restricted free agent, makes him a more difficult acquisition.
Bass fishing?
Could Brandon Bass be the Mavs' next backup for Dirk Nowitzki?
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound power forward has had a solid summer league and could be competition for Pops Mensah-Bonsu.
Bass, 22, played sparingly the past two seasons for the Hornets and joined the Mavs summer team as a free agent. He averaged 14.8 points on 57.6 percent shooting and 6.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes in five games in Las Vegas.
The Mavs have until Aug. 31 to extend Mensah-Bonsu's contract for next season or waive him. Mensah-Bonsu averaged 8.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in Las Vegas.
[email protected]
Francis chooses to return to Rockets
By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The Mavericks' free-agent pool became a little shallower and the Southwest Division a little tougher Thursday when Steve Francis signed a two-year contract with his original team, the Houston Rockets.
Francis, 30, considered the Mavs, Rockets, Heat and Clippers, but the eight-year veteran point guard and three-time All-Star chose to reunite with Yao Ming and pair with Tracy McGrady, the player the Rockets acquired when they traded Francis to Orlando in 2004.
Francis agreed to $2.4 million the first year, the amount Houston had left on its mid-level exception, and can opt out after the season. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said that Francis, who has a home in Houston and played the first five seasons of his career there, felt a comfort factor with the Rockets.
The Mavs could have offered Francis more first-year money because they still have their full mid-level exception of $5.36 million. The Mavs also have a $1.83 biannual exception available as they continue to pursue potential free-agent additions.
A perimeter scoring threat is still a priority and one option gaining some steam is veteran swingman Eddie Jones. A 37.5-percent 3-point shooter over his 13-year career, Jones split last season with Memphis and Miami.
The Heat does not plan to re-sign Jones, who will turn 36 before the season starts.
Other free-agent targets for the Mavs appear to be James Posey (Miami), P.J. Brown (Chicago), Chris Webber (Detroit) and possibly Matt Barnes (Golden State) and Mickael Pietrus (Golden State), although a likely sign-and-trade for the Pietrus, a restricted free agent, makes him a more difficult acquisition.
Bass fishing?
Could Brandon Bass be the Mavs' next backup for Dirk Nowitzki?
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound power forward has had a solid summer league and could be competition for Pops Mensah-Bonsu.
Bass, 22, played sparingly the past two seasons for the Hornets and joined the Mavs summer team as a free agent. He averaged 14.8 points on 57.6 percent shooting and 6.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes in five games in Las Vegas.
The Mavs have until Aug. 31 to extend Mensah-Bonsu's contract for next season or waive him. Mensah-Bonsu averaged 8.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in Las Vegas.
[email protected]